U.S. patent number 4,147,306 [Application Number 05/837,557] was granted by the patent office on 1979-04-03 for foam producing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Robert S. Bennett.
United States Patent |
4,147,306 |
Bennett |
April 3, 1979 |
Foam producing apparatus
Abstract
Foam is produced when a reservoir is deformed by squeezing. When
pressure is applied to the reservoir, a flexible washer seals a
vent passage while liquid is forced up through a tube, a ball valve
and outwardly through a radially slotted member, while air passes
through orifices in the washer and along the outside of the slotted
member to mix with the liquid. The mixture is then discharged when
pressure is released, the valve is sealed and suction pulls the
washer away from the vent to allow air back into the reservoir.
Inventors: |
Bennett; Robert S. (Easton,
CT) |
Family
ID: |
25274799 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/837,557 |
Filed: |
September 28, 1977 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/327; 222/212;
239/343; 239/372 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
11/043 (20130101); B05B 7/0037 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
7/00 (20060101); B05B 11/04 (20060101); B67D
005/58 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/327,328,343,372
;222/189,190,211,212 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Saifer; Robert W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for producing foam from a foamable liquid and air, said
device comprising:
a deformable vertical reservoir having an open neck and adapted to
contain a quantity of foamable liquid and air;
a first vertically elongated member provided with an enlarged lower
end engaging the neck and having a flat horizontal bottom surface
covering the neck, said lower end having a first vertical channel
extending from the outside of the member therethrough to
communicate with the bottom surface, said first member having a
first chamber with a first upper section having a circular top
opening flush with the top of the first member and a second lower
section having a bottom circular opening flush with the bottom
surface, said first and second sections being interconnected by a
second vertical channel, both sections having vertical
cylindrically shaped inner walls, the inner wall of the first
section tapering inwardly in the vicinity of the second
channel;
a second vertically elongated member having upper and lower
extensions disposed respectively within and spaced from the second
section and the reservoir respectively, said second member having a
flat circular flexible horizontal washer disposed between said
extensions and extending radially outward along the bottom surface
past the first channel, said second member having a second chamber
with a third upper section disposed in the upper extension and
communicating with a top opening in the upper extension, said
second chamber having a fourth lower section disposed in the lower
half and communicating with a bottom opening in the lower
extension, the third and fourth sections being interconnected by a
third vertical channel, said washer having spaced openings
communicating with a region intermediate the inner wall of the
second section and the upper extension of the second member, said
upper extension having spaced vertical slots communicating between
said region and said third section; and
a ball vertically movable in the third section and having a
diameter larger than that of the third channel.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein a vertical hollow dip tube is
disposed in the reservoir and is connected at its top end to the
fourth section.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the number of openings in the
washer is equal to the number of slots in the upper half of the
second member.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the second and third channels are
vertical cylindrical bores which have a common vertical axis.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the diameter of the second channel
is smaller than that of the third channel.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the slots extend downward from the
top end of the upper extension to a position adjacent but above the
top of the second channel, the portion of the upper extension
disposed between the bottom of the slots and the washer being a
hollow vertical cylinder having a plurality of vertical grooves
equal in number to the number of slots, each groove being connected
to the corresponding washer opening and aligned with the
corresponding slot.
Description
PRIOR ART STATEMENT
Known foam producing devices of the same general type as disclosed
herein are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,223,256
2,281,447
2,715,981
3,176,883
3,422,993
3,709,437
3,874,562
3,937,364
3,973,701
4,022,351
The invention differs both in structure and in function from the
devices shown in the above identified patents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Known foam producing devices as for example in U.S. Pat. No.
3,709,437 employ a deformable reservoir containing foamable liquid
and air, a discharge orifice, foam producing means including a foam
homogenizing overlay or filter, and a ball check valve disposed in
the foam producing means. The means also has air passages in a well
portion which defines a mixing chamber. When the reservoir is
compressed, the liquid and air are mixed in the chamber. The
mixture is passed through the overlay to produce foam which is then
discharged through the orifice. The check valve prevents downward
flow of the liquid after the compression force in the reservoir is
released, thus reducing the time to produce foaming upon subsequent
compression. While the reservoir is returning to its uncompressed
state after the compression force is released, air flows from
outside the device in reversed direction through the same air
passages into the reservoir for use in subsequent foam producing
operations. These known devices provide separate passages for air
and liquid to flow upward to the chamber when the reservoir is
compressed.
Normally these devices are held in vertical position. However, if
such a device is tilted appreciably from the vertical in use, as
for example at an angle of 45.degree., depending upon the relative
levels of air and liquid in the reservoir, the air may flow upward
through the passage used to conduct liquid while the liquid may
flow upward through the passage used to conduct fluid. The passages
used for air differ in length and cross sectional area differ from
those used for liquid whereby this interchange of passages creates
blockages and other malfunctions.
Sometimes the device will not function at all thereafter. At the
very least, the device must be returned to vertical position and
the reservoir squeezed and released repeatedly until normal
functions is restored.
This invention overcomes these disadvantages by preventing such
interchange of passages for air flow and liquid flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of this invention, a device for
producing foam from a foamable liquid and air comprises a vertical
reservoir with an open neck adapted to contain a quantity of
foamable liquid and air. The reservoir is deformed when squeezed
and automatically returns to undeformed state when squeezing
pressure thereon is released.
A first vertically elongated member is provided with an enlarged
lower end engaging the neck. The lower end has a flat horizontal
bottom surface covering the neck. A first vertical channel extends
through the lower end to communicate with the bottom surface. The
first member has a first upper section and a second lower section
having a bottom circular opening flush with the bottom surface. The
first and second sections are interconnected by a second vertical
channel, both sections having vertical cylindrically shaped inner
walls. The inner wall of the first section tapers inwardly in the
vicinity of the second channel.
A second vertically elongated member has upper and lower extensions
disposed respectively within and spaced from the second section and
the reservoir respectively, said second member having a flat
circular flexible horizontal washer disposed between said
extensions and extending radially outward along the bottom surface
past the first channel. The second member has a second chamber with
a third upper section disposed in the upper extension and
communicating with a top opening in the upper extension, said
second chamber having a fourth lower section disposed in the lower
extension and communicating with a bottom opening in the lower
extension. The third and fourth sections are interconnected by a
third vertical channel.
The washer has spaced openings communicating with a region in the
second section intermediate the inner wall of the second section
and the upper extension of the second member. The upper extension
has spaced vertical slots communicating between the region and the
third section. A ball vertically movable in the third section has a
diameter larger than that of the third channel.
When the reservoir is squeezed, liquid passes upwardly from the
reservoir, through the fourth section and third channel, forcing
the ball upward and then flowing first into the third section and
out of the slots into the region intermediate the inner wall of the
second section and the upper extension of the second member. At the
same time air flows upward from the reservoir through the holes in
the washer into this region. The direction of air and liquid flow
are essentially at right angles whereby mixing occurs in the
region. The mixture forces its way upward through the second
channel into the first section. A foam filter is disposed in the
top open end of the first section and as the mixture flows through
the filter, the desired foam is produced. The air pressure thus
developed in the reservoir forces the washer flush against the
bottom opening in the first channel, preventing air entry
therethrough.
When the squeezing force on the reservoir is released, the inwardly
directed suction moves the washer out of sealing engagement with
the first channel whereby air can flow from the outside into the
reservoir.
The air flow passages employed in this invention are so disposed
that the device can be inclined almost to the horizontal without
permitting foamable liquid to flow through these passages.
Similarly, the liquid flow passage is so disposed that unless the
reservoir has been emptied of liquid, air will not flow in the
liquid flow passage. Consequently, the device can be used at
discharge angles substantially inclined from the vertical in normal
operation and blockages and other malfunctions will not occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows the invention in vertical cross section.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of certain parts employed in the
invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a deformable vertical plastic reservoir
10 has an open neck 12 and contains a quantity of defoamable liquid
and air.
A first vertically elongated plastic member 14 has an enlarged open
lower end 16 which threadedly engages the neck and has a flat
horizontal bottom surface 18 covering the neck. A first vertical
channel 20 in the form of a cylindrical bore extends from the
outside and communicates with the bottom surface. Member 14 has a
first chamber with a first upper section 22 and a second lower
section 24. These sections are interconnected by a second vertical
channel 26 or cylindrical bore having a diameter smaller than that
of channel 20. Both sections 22 and 24 have vertical cylindrically
shaped inner walls. The inner wall of the first section 22 tapers
inwardly in the vicinity of the second channel. Section 22 has a
top circular opening 28 flush with the top of member 14 and much
larger in diameter than any of the channels (including the third
channel described below). Section 24 has a bottom circular opening
30 flush with the bottom of member 14 and having a diameter
somewhat larger than that of opening 28.
A second vertically elongated plastic member 31 has upper and lower
extensions 32 and 34 disposed respectively within and spaced from
the second section and the reservoir respectively and also has a
flat circular thin flexible horizontal washer 36 disposed between
the extensions and extending radially outward along surface 18 past
channel 20. Member 30 has a second chamber with a third upper
section 38 disposed in the upper extension and communicating with a
top opening therein as well as a fourth lower section 40 disposed
in the lower extension and communicating with a bottom opening in
the lower half. A third channel 42 or vertical cylindrical bore
having a diameter somewhat larger than that of channel 26
interconnects the third and fourth sections.
Washer 36 has four equidistantly spaced openings 47 which are
connected by corresponding outer vertical grooves 46 in a vertical
hollow outer cylinder 48 forming a lower part of the upper
extension to the bottom of corresponding vertical slots 50 in a
smaller diameter vertical hollow cylinder 52 forming an upper part
of the upper extension.
A dip tube 54 secured at its upper end in section 40 extends
downwardly to a point just above the bottom of the reservoir. The
second and third channels and tube 54 have a common vertical axis
which is also the vertical axis of the reservoir. A foam filter 56
is disposed in the top opening of the first member and extends
downwardly therein whereby in vertical cross section the filter has
the shape of a U. A cap with discharge channel and discharge
orifice can be secured to the top of member 30.
A plastic ball 64 vertically movable in the section 38 has a
diameter larger than that of channel 42 and smaller than that of
the third section 38.
When the reservoir is deformed by squeezing, the pressure forces
washer 36 to seal channel 20 while the liquid is forced up through
the tube, channel 42, the third section 38 and outwardly through
the slots 50 at approximately right angles into a region 66 between
the inner wall of section 24 and the first half of the second
member. Air is forced upward through openings 47 and grooves 46
vertically upward into region 66 to mix with the liquid. (The
pressure has caused ball 67 to be raised and open channel 42). The
mixture then forms a fine mist spray and flows upwardly through
channel 26, the first chamber and then through the filter whereby
the foam is produced and discharged thereafter.
When the squeezing pressure is released and the reservoir returns
to normal shape the ball falls to seal the channel 42 and the
suction momentarily pulls the washer downward away from the opening
of channel 20 whereby air is supplied from the outside to the
reservoir.
The position of openings 47 is such that the reservoir can be
tilted substantially more than 45.degree. with respect to the
vertical without allowing any liquid to pass through these
openings. Similarly, as long as there is enough liquid in the
reservoir to permit further use, such tilting will not permit air
to pass upward through the tube.
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